The National tribune., 1887-12-15

wards; and as this ElktOn lawyer and became
associated somewhat intimately for
A MONTH OF TWO IN REBELDoM,
have mentioned this circumstance by way Of
introduction, and so that we will know him
hereafter as "Elkton."
The Colonel, learned, had been store
keeper in one Of the slower Counties" and the
twain had crossed the broad Potomac together
one night, somewhere in the neighborhood Of
Aqua Greek, and had only been in Richmond a
month or SO. They were of course anxious to
meet all the other refugees they could hear
of, and so it came about that / made their
acquaintance. Luckily for me, they were
that which l represented. Neither of them for
a moment doubted my loyalty" but on the
other hand both of these gentlemen seemed to
think il a part Of their duty to take care Of
me; and / take this opportunity to say to
Eikton," or any Of his family who may
read this, that his kindness to me has
always been appreciated. But must not an
ticipate the story. / was invited to share a
bed or cot in the same room these two gentle
men occupied, which was located in the front
of the hotel. / could from their window see
all who entered the Capitol building, and also
had an unObstructed view OF President Daviss
Office, as well as that of other prominent off,
cials. This prospect was very gratifying to
me, and, as may be assumed, was much more
window outlook ran no risk Of detection, as
would be the case if / were compelled to be on
the streets all the time. was naturally most
anxious to see President Davis, and to my
rather eager questions in regard to him-as i
look at it now-I was told by the Colonel that
" The President lives right around on the
next corner-on the next street. He walks
through the grounds to his Office every day.
I'll show him to you the first chance"
That nioht Il iav dOUn arlv and had scarcolv
gotten into sound slumber, and was perhaps
dreaming of home, when / was reused gently
by the Colonel to listen to the serenade." On
the street in front Of the hotel large crowd
had gathered, composed partly Of q company
of men without uniforms, who had marched in
the rear of band to the place. was informed
that they were the nucleus of company or
regiment which was to be composed entirely
of Marylanders who were expected to arrive
in Richmond by details of three or four at q
time. The purpose of the visit that night was
to give
WELCOME sERENADE TO MARYLANDERs
There were but three of US in the hotel that
night, the Colonel, "Elkton" and myself and
it was the presence OF this trio that had brought
the band under our window. After the band
had played my Maryland" the crowd pres
ent, recognizing its appropriateness, gave
round after round of applause. Cries were
il had created was still high, the entire COM
pany of Maryland recruits burst forth into q
full chorus, and sang their home song with
even greater effect than the performance of the
band.
After they had left the hotel, the band and
the Marylanders went TO call on JEFF Davis and
serenade him. My room-mates had both got
out of the room at the beginning of the uproar.
and lay awake long time waiting for their
return.
/ gathered one point from them that had
not thought of before, which gave me food for
reflection. They both intended to unite them
selves to the rebel army, but each Of them
wanted to be officers. If / remember right
there was some constitutional" difficulty in
the way of forming Maryland battalion.
My impression now is that Davis thought he
could not issue commissions, which was the
duty Of the Governor of Maryland, and that
it was necessary that some Governor should
help him out of the new State rights difficulty.
They got over it in time some way, as they did
other State sovereignty questions, for Elk
ton subsequently became a Lieutenant of the
Sd Battery Of Maryland Artillery, and five
Maryland regiments fought with Lee. / i'm
agined that | saw in this scheme of theirs a
way out of my difficulty, and to further serve
the Union. l knew that when should be able
to move about, it would be necessary to do
something; that could not stay at the hotel
indefinitely without money was certain, and il
was also equally as certain that 1 would not
get money in answer to my blind letter.
/ expected to get back North by using their
blockade route as soon as ! was able to travel
But as had opened communication with Wash
ingtOn, | realized that / could best serve the
North by remaining there in Richmond to watch
and report what should see.
One of the first walks / took after my sick
ness was over TO JET Dayis's house, just at the
top OF the hill across the park.
My Colonel eventually became the
FIRST SERGEANT OF ELKToN's" BATTERY,
and while we three were bunking together
there in the hotel / found that they conf
IDENTIFY expected that / would join their owr
command-when they got one. They asked
me no embarrassing questions, but seemed tS
have accepted my story without hint Of sus
picion.
As wrote Just above, my first visit was a
the official residence of Mr.. Davis, but / die
not deem it advisable to thrust myself toe
much upon his notice.
The next point OF interest to me was Libby
prison, for / had heard so much rebel tall
| in the few weeks had been in Dixie that
| felt that the sight Of one true Union MAJ
would do my soul good, even ii he should be
| behind iron bars.
When / started out one afternoon for Libby
NNAA9NANAANN
/ the soldiers that thronged the streets looked
/ suspiciOusly at me, but | soon rallied and re
membered that my long illness had so thinneC
me down that the earnest stares were rathe
from pity than suspicion.
! / found the old tobacco warehouse at las
that has since those days become so famous.
wanted very much to look at g Union soldie
who had fought in real battle against thes
bowling rebels, even though he was defeated
and prisoner. / felt it would do me good.
| saw them, lots of them, through dimmet
| eyes, and with a heart throbbing so hard will
n fellow-feeling for them that i was almos
afraid that / would lose control of myself
| Through the barred windows L could see tn
rooms full of the boys in their ragged but still
| beautiful blue. Occasionally would catch th
| eye of some one looking out, and oh, dear, wha
wouldn't have given at that moment for tn
privilege of being one of them; of making my
self known with a shout. felt at that momen
that it would be far better to be q real prisone
of war, even though in Libby, than to be as
was. Though apparently at liberty, / wa
Homeless near a thousand homes" as Wadl
| worth writes.
| To be eontiRued.l